I read today's news re prescribing OP drugs for 'flu with great personal interest.

I was prescibed Alendronic acid 18 months ago as a precaution as I was taking steroids for PMR ( poymyalgia rheumatica ). All seemed ok until the fourth or fifth week when I experienced wheezing and numb lips. In case this was a chest infection I was given a 5 day course of penicillin. All ok until the day following the last dose when I had a severe reaction which meant a day in hospital. This took nearly a month to clear and my notes are now marked for both Alendronates and Penicillin.

In June this year a friend broke her arm and was recommended she take Alendronic Acid as a precaution. She discussed this with our GP and said that, in the light of my experience, she was not very happy to follow the advice. Although our GP asked for a bone density scan to ascertain whether, in fact, she  had brittle bones, this was refused as, as an 83 year old female, she obviously needed OP treatment!

It does seem as though these drugs are recommended rather too readily.